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Handyman Letter
July, 2003

IN THIS ISSUE:

1) America's greatest gift... a message from the Natural Handyman

2) Our appreciation to sites and publications that have recently linked
to or featured NH!

3) Sweepstakes Central... win great home repair stuff!!

4) News from the Basement Annex!!

5) Q&A with our readers

6) Linkmaster's Corner

7) Pass the hammer, would ya?"... NH's readers speak out!

8) Featured in the Natural Handyman Bookshop...
"Understanding Wood Finishing" by Bob Flexner

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1) America's greatest gift... a message from the Natural Handyman

It's odd to be an American, a truly a schizophrenic existence being both
good and evil at the same time! Our better nature makes us want to spread
our special mix of freedom and self-government around the world.
Intuitively, we know that what is best for the world at large can only
benefit us, just as our neighbor's success can only spill over into our
lives. (Come on, you know you loved it when the guy next door cleared out
that lot full of junked cars and wild weeds!)

Yet, we are perpetually the source of derision and ridicule from those
within and without our land. As a thinking person, it's puzzling to ponder
how we could be less a country because our success and greatness has not
been fully exportable! It's as if our inability to solve all of the world's
problems somehow diminishes our humanitarian, social and technological
triumphs.

But any doubts I may have of our motives or our resolve evaporate when I
look at the fundamentals that are at the heart of this land. Our
perseverance, self-questioning and refinement continues to expand and define
America. We may not always agree with our courts or politicians, but one
thing most American's believe in is the process... the way we handle our
internal disputes within a civilized, non-violent framework.

You don't have to look very deeply to see a broad, pervasive strength in
this country, with roots that have made it both tough and resilient. These
roots were planted by a group of well-to-do lawyers, merchants, doctors,
ministers, politicians, plantation owners and farmers... the winners of
"life's lottery" if you will. Yet, in spite of their good fortune,
many signed their death warrants on that July 4th morning in 1776 when they
met to debate and finalize the Declaration of Independence.

In all, a mere 56 people signed the Declaration. For their bravery, none
were untouched by the British Crown's wrath, with many dying during the
Revolutionary War, others left destitute and still other losing their
children to war's fury. In spite of their hardships, none of these
level-headed conservative men went back on their pledge to each other and
the birthing of a country they did not know but loved nonetheless...

"And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on
the Protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our
Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor."

America was founded on the assumption that a people's freedom arises from
God-given rights, not those bestowed on us from government or royalty. In
our 227-year adolescence, we have and always will struggle to balance the
freedom of the individual against the freedom of a society. Our strength
comes from our people and their resourcefulness, based on a constitutional
structure that more fully protects freedom, self-expression and protest than
any other country in the history of mankind. Our strength also arises from
the multitudes that wish to make America their home, hoping for greater
opportunity for success and a brighter future for their children.

Our founders would undoubtedly nod in approval of our daily struggles to
save ourselves! They knew firsthand that true success is always in the
struggle. But even the fact that every American cannot be rich or even
comfortable does not diminish the sacrifices of those 56 men and the
uncounted men and women who have given their lives to the goal of freedom
and liberty for all.

Virtually everyone has the opportunity for success in our country, be it
financial, cultural or spiritual. At the end of the day, though, it is the
opportunity to strive for a better life, and not the success itself, that is
America's greatest gift to us all.

PROPANE TANKS AND THE NEW REQUIREMENTS
If you've tried to get your gas grill's propane tank filled, you might have
been surprised or even angered if the local refiller gave you a hard time!
Since April, many propane stations have refused to service tanks built after
Sept. 1998 because they lack a new safety feature... the overfill protection
device or OPD. Read this informative article from the NATIONAL PROPANE GAS
ASSOCIATION, which will answer many of your questions concerning this new
policy.https://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infgasgrill/infopd.html

We have 2 new articles for all of the swimming pool aficionados in our
audience...

SAFETY BARRIER GUIDELINES FOR HOME POOLS
Each year, hundreds of children are killed and thousands injured by falls
into swimming pools, spas and hot tubs! If you, your friends or neighbors
own a pool, please read this CPSC report on what you can do to prevent these
needless accidents.https://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infpool/infpoolbarriers.html

CONSERVATION AND YOUR SWIMMING POOL
When we first received permission to reprint this article, LADWP's webmaster
George Duddles warned us that (1) the organization who sponsored the article
has been disbanded so long that no one even knows who they were and (2) some
of the energy references may be outdated due the increased efficiency of
modern pump motors.
Pooh, we say!! Warts and all, we know this articleit will help you save
money maintaining your pool, even if the savings might be a little less than
indicated. Cheers!https://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infpool/infpoolconservation.html

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5) Q&A WITH OUR READERS...

Dear NH,

Is there a way to replace the plastic dryer vent without tearing up the
wall? I recently got a new dryer and the serviceman would not hook it up to
the plastic venting because it is no longer acceptable. The dryer is in the
basement and the vent runs up the wall, about 10 to 12 feet. I really don't
want to cut into the wall. (P.S. Someone told me that a liner could be
put in there.)

SW from Sandy, UT

SW,

A typical residential clothes dryer is designed for a 4" circular
vent hose, preferably solid metal with smooth interior walls to allow
maximal air flow. Smaller diameter hoses cause a pressure backup into the
dryer, slowing clothes drying and possibly leading to dangerous overheating!

A typical wall today has only 3 1/2" of open space inside. Though
this slight squeezing of the hose may not cause a noticeable reduction in
air flow, it does make replacing the hose impossible without cutting open
the wall!

You need to evaluate the venting arrangement for your dryer. Is there a
more direct path to the outside than the one you are currently using? If
there is an unfinished attic above, basement below or an adjacent closet
with an outside wall, can you run the hose through these areas to avoid
carpentry/drywall repairs? A dryer vent hose can be boxed in with minimal
carpentry skills, so it is often possible to make the hose disappear in an
attractive fashion.

Regarding a liner, it cannot be done with a flexible dryer vent hose
because the reduction in hose size would cause the problems mentioned
earlier.

NH

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Dear NH,

I have a few wooden exterior shutters that are beginning to bend and pull
away from my house. Also, some of the slats are falling out! Can they be
repaired?

PB from Scranton, PA

PB,

Oops! I occasionally run across this problem, though less now that so
many people are installing non-wood shutters. I have found that warping
often occurs when the shutters have not been properly sealed. Professional
siding contractors know that it is important to seal the inside of wood
siding (called "back priming") prior to installation, and this
applies to wood shutters as well. By controlling the amount of moisture that
is absorbed by the siding on BOTH sides, twisting and buckling is virtually
eliminated. Since the inside of the siding (and the shutters) is not exposed
to the elements (except for moisture migrating through the vapor barrier on
the house's sheathing), a one-shot sealing is good enough for the life of
the home. Even if the house is stone or brick, enough moisture from the air
can be absorbed through the back of a shutter to cause warping over time!

Regarding repair of your shutters, if they are not warped too badly they
should be repairable with a little loving kindness. Gather up all the slats
and set up a table for the shutter. I use an old door for this purpose. You
will notice that the shutter frame has probably separated, allowing the
slats to fall out. You will need to do two things simultaneously... align
the slats and then glue/clamp the separated shutter back together. I would
also recommend using long wood screws to reinforce the separated area to
give the glue a little help! You may find the shutter resists reassembly, so
if clamping does not completely close the gap use a little "gently
persuasion" via a hammer and wood block to complete the job. A slight
gap is not unusual, since there may be some old glue in the way. You can use
a little caulk to seal the small gap prior to repainting the shutter (or
just touch up the area after caulking if the shutter is not to noticeable or
on the second floor).

Then, before the glue dries, use additional clamps to pull the shutter
flat against the table to reshape it. Have the "cupped" side
upwards... this would usually be the painted or stained side. Leave the
shutter be for at least 24 hours before removing the clamps. If there is
still excessive bowing, you can try clamping it again but this time put a
small block of wood under the center to force the shutter to slightly
overbend. Don't overdo it or you may break the shutter. Again, leave it for
a day or so, remove the clamps and check your work. If it is straight enough
for you (a slight bend can be held in check by the shutter's mounting
screws), use a clear sealer and coat the entire backside of the shutter.
This should stabilize the shutter and prevent bowing in the future.

NH

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7) PASS THE HAMMER, WOULD YA? ... NH'S READERS SPEAK OUT

Dear NH,

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I purchased a cabin built in the 30s
that has cracked window glazing. Your site is the only one I could find with
pictures and humor. I now know what is in store for me for quite some time
(There are over 200 of these windows and I plan to do this myself.). You are
so appreciated!

DR from Forsyth, MO

DR,

Quite a project, but in the end you'll save enough money to add on a
two-Jeep garage!

I only disagree with one statement, that perhaps selfishness is a talent
to be guarded. Selfishness is never a talent in my opinion. It is an
imperfection that needs constant suppressing in order for humans to be truly
happy. How could we ever be happy if we only look out for our own interests?
When caring includes others then ultimately everyone benefits not just a
few.

Children are a wonderful inspiration as you said, for their lust for
life, their imaginations and yes their openness to trust with all their
heart. It is sad that most adults are forced to lose a lot of those
qualities because the realities of life have forced that upon us.

Anyway, thank you for such a well-thought out article- never expected to
find that on a handyman site!

WD

WD,

Thanks, WD. Actually, I was posing the question to you and my other
readers, "Is selfishness a curse to be controlled or a gift to be
tamed?" I avoided answering it because I think we each have to decide
how much such a powerful drive can be used for good in our lives without
consuming us.

Remember that selfishness is a natural byproduct of our drive to survive.
This is true of all so-called sins. Lust, greed, jealousy, envy, etc. are
all rooted in primitive emotions, which can be overpowering and ultimately
destructive if left uncontrolled.

Though any of our drives can lead us to danger via addictions and other
unhealthy pursuits, these same drives can lead some of us to greatness by
giving power to our better natures. For example, look at the good done by
people who have reformed their lives after visiting humanities "dark
side".

Again, to return to your point, only you can decide how much selfishness
is right for you.